East Asia

Gorging on Investment, Choking on Red Tape

Academic economists usually air their new ideas first in working papers. Here, before the work gets dusty, a quick look at transition policy research in progress.

BY PETER PASSELL | JANUARY 4, 2013

Four Surprises That Could Rock Asia in 2013

Are we paying attention to the wrong crises?

BY MICHAEL MAZZA | JANUARY 3, 2013

Is This Any Way to Treat Your Banker?

China recoils in horror at America's fiscal dysfunction.

BY SHEN DINGLI | JANUARY 2, 2013

Babies Wanted

A look at the 10 countries with the lowest fertility rates in the world.

BY ELIZABETH F. RALPH | JANUARY 2, 2013

The Disappeared

Even the Soviet Union eventually acknowledged Stalin's Great Famine. Why does China still hide evidence of its own mass starvation under Mao?

BY FRANK DIKÖTTER | JANUARY 2, 2013

Let Them Eat Grass

What do Weibots think about China's Great Famine?

BY MURONG XUECUN | JANUARY 2, 2013

We're All Declinist Pundits These Days; Recession-Proof

FP's "Who Won the Great Recession?" package elicits reflections on U.S.-China power dynamics and how to succeed in business during hard times.

JANUARY 2, 2013

North Korea Does Not Believe in Unicorns

But it does believe in promoting a fanciful version of its own history.

BY ISAAC STONE FISH, ADAM CATHCART | DECEMBER 27, 2012

9 Stories That Will Move Markets in 2013

From the U.S. deficit to Mideast turmoil, the issues that could have the biggest impact on the global economy in the coming year.

BY DANIEL ALTMAN | DECEMBER 24, 2012

The World War on Christmas

Five places where Santa really does have to watch his back.

BY ELIZABETH F. RALPH | DECEMBER 24, 2012

Dynasty

Why are so many Asian countries run by families?

BY ISAAC STONE FISH | DECEMBER 20, 2012

People's Power

Eight ways China's military is catching up to the United States.

BY JOHN REED | DECEMBER 20, 2012

Nothing Is Written

The triumph of democracy isn't inevitable. It has to be fought for.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | DECEMBER 19, 2012

The Dictator's Daughter

The heir of a controversial South Korean autocrat is now the country's first female president. Can she emerge from his shadow?

BY GEOFFREY CAIN | DECEMBER 18, 2012

A Line in the Sea

Is Japan’s new leader going to pick a fight with China?

BY MICHAEL AUSLIN | DECEMBER 18, 2012

They Actually Did It

Are we all going to die from an Iranian-built, North Korean ICBM?

BY JEFFREY LEWIS | DECEMBER 14, 2012

Tokyo Hawks

Meet the conservatives who could soon run Japan.

BY JEFF KINGSTON | DECEMBER 14, 2012

5 Reasons the Japanese Elections Matter

The results of Sunday's contest could rock the global economy and destabilize Asia. Maybe the world should pay attention?

BY MICHAEL CUCEK | DECEMBER 14, 2012

Launch This

Why Barack Obama needs to reset his North Korea policy.

BY JOEL S. WIT, JENNY TOWN | DECEMBER 13, 2012

The Yakuza Lobby

How Japan's murky underworld became the patron and power broker of the ruling party that intended to clean up politics.

BY JAKE ADELSTEIN | DECEMBER 13, 2012

Ripe for Rivalry

Has Asia's moment of reckoning finally arrived?

BY VICTOR D. CHA | DECEMBER 12, 2012

Patience Has Not Been a Virtue

Was the Obama administration to blame for North Korea's rocket launch?

BY DARYL G. KIMBALL | DECEMBER 12, 2012

Clash of the Balance Sheets

The most important showdown between China and the United States isn't happening in the Pacific. It's happening at the SEC.

BY PATRICK CHOVANEC | DECEMBER 10, 2012

India's Ocean

Could New Delhi's growing naval force change the balance of power in the Pacific? 

BY DHRUVA JAISHANKAR | DECEMBER 6, 2012

Barbarians at the Gate

Are Russia and China trying to take over the Internet? Probably. But so far they aren't having much luck.

BY CHRISTIAN CARYL | DECEMBER 5, 2012

The Migrant Money Machine

The developed world could make a big difference to the global economy simply by helping migrants to do what comes naturally: send money home.

BY PETER PASSELL | DECEMBER 4, 2012

The Mistress-Industrial Complex

Is adultery the key to solving China’s corruption problem?

BY CHRISTINA LARSON | DECEMBER 3, 2012

How to Cope with Windfall Wealth

Mongolia has been doing a remarkable job of managing a natural-resource bonanza. But dangers still lie ahead.

BY PETER MURRELL, CHULUUNBAT NARANTUYA | NOVEMBER 30, 2012

Paris on the Yangtze

A look at the Western villages and monuments that are popping up all over China.

NOVEMBER 29, 2012

China's Copycat Cities

The People's Republic is building life-size European villages, but not for the reasons you think.

BY JACK CARLSON | NOVEMBER 29, 2012